Due to the home video market (and, for the past few years, DVD), certain films that have, for whatever reason, not succeeded in the theaters have gone on to attain cult status on video. Kevin Smith's "Mallrats" (jokingly called "the 'Blade Runner' of comedies on the commentary for that film) is certainly an example, as is John Carpenter's "Big Trouble In Little China". The 1986 film really does a wonderful job at putting together martial arts action scenes before the film before "martial arts" became big again in recent years. At that time, though, the studio didn't quite see the movie the same way and audiences expected a different character from Russell.

Russell stars as Jack Burton, a truck driver who finds himself thrown into a battle in Chinatown's hidden back-rooms and chambers when his friend's future bride is kidnapped by thugs at the airport. The rest of the film essentially turns into several chase/fight sequences, many of which are impressively well-staged for a film that's now 15 years old. The film works even better thanks to the fact that the actors involved seem to be having a great deal of fun, and the three credited editors on the picture move along the picture at a very rapid clip, keeping just what's needed through the 99 minutes. The film is highly original and completely unpredictable, keeping things light throughout. Russell's John Wayne-ish performance is one of his most entertaining.

The film is technically also excellent. The production design of John Lloyd is tremendous, and the sets look terrific. Cinematography is by the award-winning Dean Cundey, who has also shot everything from "Dances With Wolves" to "Nutty Professor 2". There's also terrific costumes by April Ferry("U-571", etc). The film cost about 20 million and it looks to me as if it cost a little more than that with the kind of detail and special effects (which are good for a 15 year old film) that are on display.

It's a high-energy, entertaining picture. I look at it now and wonder why it didn't get a larger audience; hopefully though, it will continue to add members to its cult after this excellent DVD release.